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Nintendo Download: Masks, Crystals, Chess and Art (US)

The 300th VC game joins two WiiWare games and a single DSiWare release.

Many people saw it coming - The amount of Virtual Console games available in North America was nearing 300, so it was logical to assume that Nintendo of America was saving Majora's Mask in order to make it game number 300.

That turns out to be true - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is today's new VC release and the 300th VC game available. Majora's Mask is frequently seen as the weirdest game in the Zelda series. (Aside from maybe Zelda II!) It's only got four dungeons and the overall atmosphere is a lot more mature than in the other games. This is in part because of all the characters in the game - Almost every single one has an actual personality, and by doing the right things you can get to know more about their backgrounds. Because of this, the game also has a bigger focus on sidequests than actual adventuring. Some people think all these unique features make it one of the lesser games in the series, while others think it's actually the best - Read our The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask review to see what we think.

For the first time in quite a while, today brings not one, but two new WiiWare games! Strangely enough, there's still no sign of games such as Adventure Island and Bubble Bobble, which have been out in Europe for quite a while now. What you can download, however, is Crystal Defenders R2, the second "segment" of the Crystal Defenders series. This one features more missions and different features than R1 to keep things a bit fresh, but if you've got an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 we still recommend getting the game on one of those instead - You'll get a ton more content for a far better price. This part costs 800 Wii Points, just like the previous one.

You can also download Silver Star Chess. We have no clue why Nintendo only now seemingly randomly decided to bring over the Silver Star games (Which also include Reversi, and some Japanese games such as Mahjong and Shogi) - Japan already started to get them back in 2007! As North America never got Wii Chess, however, this might be worth a look if you like the game - How could you go wrong for 500 Wii Points?

DSiWare has been rather disappointing the past few weeks, but there's something good this time - A new Art Style game! No, it's not CODE, which Europe already has - It's Art Style: PiCTOBiTS, known elsewhere as PiCOPiCT. In this game you work with falling coloured blocks to form sprites of various characters from NES games, making it the first Art Style game to have some extra Nintendo flavour to it. Japanese players seemed to really like the title, and for just 500 DSi Points we think others will like it too.

Well, you've finally gotten Majora's Mask! Now what's the next game people will be seeing weekly complaints about?

More from Nintendo's press release:

NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: ZELDA CLASSIC BECOMES 300TH VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAME

May 18, 2009

Every Monday for two and a half years, Nintendo has introduced new downloadable games and applications for the Wii™ console. Today marks a milestone for the Virtual Console™ section of the Wii Shop Channel, home of some of the greatest titles in video game history. The classic The Legend of Zelda™: Majora's Mask™ becomes the 300th Virtual Console title available for download. It's one of the highest-rated Nintendo 64™ games of all time, and its three-day time cycle and deeper, darker storyline offer players a different experience than a traditional Zelda game. People who played it years ago can relive their gaming roots, while those who never picked it up can discover its fun and charm for the first time.

Not to be overlooked, the second Art Style puzzle game for Nintendo DSiWare™ makes its debut, along with the WiiWare™ games CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2 from SQUARE ENIX and Silver Star Chess from Agetec, Inc.

Virtual ConsoleThe Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Nintendo 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Cartoon Violence, 1,000 Wii Points™): Link™ must save the world! This time, he finds himself trapped in Termina, an alternate version of Hyrule that is doomed to destruction in just three short days. Link must race to recover the Ocarina of Time (which allows him to manipulate time in multiple ways), defeat challenging bosses in dungeons spread across Termina and discover the key to the mystery of Majora's Mask. Along the way, he'll obtain new weapons and items and help other characters (some strangely familiar) in their everyday lives. In addition, Link must use a wide assortment of masks scattered throughout Termina, each with its own specific use or power. Never before have three days offered so much in the way of action, mind-boggling puzzles and depth. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is an adventure unlike any other!

Nintendo DSiWareArt Style™: PiCTOBiTS™ (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Nintendo DSi Points™): Your goal in Art Style: PiCTOBiTS is simple: clear large blocks that fall from above ("megabits") by combining them with "bits" (square blocks) of the same color. Add in the ability to pick up bits and place them anywhere on the touch screen, and you'll quickly find that strategy is critical to your success. By clearing the bits, you gradually reveal each stage's hidden game character - look for favorites from classic NES™ titles - and earn coins that can be spent to unlock DARK stages or to listen to the game's soundtrack in MUSIC mode. This grand mix of familiar elements and new game play leads to the uniquely enjoyable experience that is PiCTOBiTS.

WiiWareCRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2 (SQUARE ENIX, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): In CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2, you must deploy various units, such as Fencers and Black Mages, to stop waves of encroaching monsters from escaping the area with your party's crystals. There are many types of units to choose from: Some specialize in powerful short-range attacks, some wield far-reaching magicks and still others are equipped with bows, enabling them to bring down aerial foes. Deploy units in strategic locations to take full advantage of their traits. Each time an enemy breaches your defenses and reaches a map's exit, your party will lose crystals. When all your crystals are gone, the game is over. CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R2 offers several new, challenging maps containing multiple entrances and exits. It also introduces three varieties of Power Crystals, allowing you to enhance the abilities of your units, while new jobs, including Flintlock and Tinker, set the stage for even more complex strategies. Can you defend all the maps without losing a single crystal?

Silver Star Chess (Agetec, Inc., 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Suggestive Themes, 500 Wii Points): Silver Star Chess has two modes: 1-Player and 2-Player. 1-Player mode allows you to play a chess match against the computer opponent. 2-Player mode allows you to play against another person. In 1-Player mode, you can select one of five different computer opponents, as well as turn the background music off, adjust sound effects and access in-game help features. Also, during the match, you can redo your last move, save the game at any point or resign from the game. After the match has ended, you can review each move made during the match. While reviewing the match in this way, you can resume that match at any point.

How could you go wrong for 500 Points? Hockey All-Star Shootout that's how!

I'm so happy PiCOPiCT is here in NA. Now things are improving!

So who's getting R2? I'm counting on people's thoughts today. I wanna know if it's worth getting or not. I'm especially interested to hear how people who got the first one respond to this one, especially since it's 800 Points again.

Silver Star Chess still interests me as much as it did months ago. Nice to finally see it after it's ESRB Rating months ago. If it had online play, I wouldn't even consider it. I'd get it instantly.

@Metroid133: No matter what happened today, I knew people would end up complaining either way....

SWEET!o wait, it's not the same not complaining on here. WHERE'S SSB!! WHERE'S BUBBLE BOBBLE! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!Got that out of the way. I'm good for awhile. Until E3 comes, than we'll see what happens.

At least we finally got Majora's Mask after all this time. Smash bros Is long overdue though. I hope they don't wait until game 350. The N64 section of the shop is way too short on games. The wii has been around since 06 and we only have 16 N64 games. Come on Nintendo what are you waiting for?

Best VC / WiiWare / DSi week in a very long time. I might even get something from all three -- certainly I'm going for MM and PicoPict without hesitation, as those two were at the top of my wanted lists for their respective services.

Well outside of Majora, the weakest link in the Zelda line, this has been a fantastic update. I for one was hoping it would have been the released elsewhere Smash Bros. The weird design setup alone should dock it points, especially if you combine a lot of the annoying sidequests and the stupid time limit and losses you get stepping back in time. Someone who finds that game near the best (like the tool here that gave it a 10) has got to be a fanboy wearing some zelda beergoggles.

The chess game and pictopic are nice to see. I guess in around another 6mo we'll see #350 with smash bros then or something at the sorry pace VC games drop.

Also what's with Crystal Defenders? I keep seeing, wait for it on PS3. I have yet to see it appear on there so has it even got a date?

Finally!!! lol. Nintendo really knows how to make people question their sanity. Anyways, I must thank Nintendo for an awesome VC and Wiiware download. I will be downloading Majora and R2 for sure since I really liked R1 but I'm not sure about the silver or DSiware game. But whatever, two really good downloads is more than enough for me..........at least for now Enjoy your downloads everyone, you deserve them.

Majora's Mask was basically guaranteed for the 300th game. So that didn't surprise me. It would of if we got Earthbound or anything else. The VC games I'll be looking forward to being released next are Final Fantasy 1, (hopefully someday but unlikely) Earthbound, A Boy and His Blob, Devil World, The Revenge of Shinobi. As far as the SSB thing goes I've got Melee and Brawl probably like the majority of us, so why do you guys want the original? I don't. Not anymore anyway, they had their chance before Brawl to get me interested in wanting it and they blew it. Its no longer on my wanted games radar.

Yay! Not only did we get Majora's Mask, but we also got Crystal Defenders! I've been playing through R1. While it's a bit disappointing that Crystal Defenders was split, I honestly feel like you get enough of a game for your money. The first one gets really hard after a while, only to drop in difficulty once you figure out the thieves. I'm hoping that R2 will shake things up again and freshen up the gameplay even more.

As for DSiWare... hmm... well, we're one week closer to some real games. (pause) I think.

Surprisingly, Nintendo actually came through today but a part of me is still a bit miffed that North America had to wait nearly two months longer for this game, just so it could be release 300. Hopefully Nintendo will give us a game before anyone else to make up for it. Super Mario Kart perhaps? ^^'

While I strongly dislike that Nintendo would take so long with VC releases, this brings us one step closer to completing the N64 library. Still have a ways to go (and some licensing hurdles), but we'll get there!

So they DID go with Majora. Nice to know Nintendo isn't 100% random stupid. PiCTOBiTS looks pretty darned cool, but I don't really want to buy a 2000 point card for a 500 point game, so I'll probably still wait until Mighty Flip Champs releases, at least.

@J.K.: Yeah, I have no idea why we STILL don't have Crystal Defenders on PS3. Japan got it same day we got the 360 version, but we're still left waiting! I can only imagine it has something to do with an exchange of currency between Microsoft and Squenix, if you catch my drift...

@Michi & NintendoPurist: I want that game, sure, but I REALLY want Goemon's Great Adventure, which is even better (Goemon belongs in 2D style gameplay, imo)! Come on, Konami and Nintendo!

I could be a d--k and complain about no Swords & Soldiers, but we'll probably get that next week.

Good that we got MM, but it was so predictable that it cuts down on the excitement of it. Would've been way cooler if N had released a couple VC games instead of just one, but oh well. At least its not Fuggleslop in Snozzwangler Land. ;P

YES!!! Finally! I'm downloading MM as soon as i get home but im even more excited for PiCOBiTS!! I was thinking D-CODE would be out first but who cares! PiCOBiTS is my definite favorite out of all 9 artstyle games. Now let's keep it going with Smash 64 and D-CODE for next week!! And a note to everyone, please support all DSi artstyle games. I've seen the popular DSi charts and Aquia's performance was atrocious. Please convince Nintendo to make more Artstyle. Trust me, PiCOBiTS is awesome!

Though a Nintendo lifer, I never quite got sucked into Zelda... was always a Mario guy. (Might be because an early NES purchase was Zelda II... the gold cart was cool, but it was too hard for my 7-year-old brain). Finally with Twilight Princess I played through an entire Zelda game--pure awesome. So now I'm intrigued by Majora's Mask (more so than Ocarina, since MM seems more different to TP) but am worried that I'll be disappointed with a backwards progression through the series. I.e., wouldn't you be disappointed with Smash Bros 64 if you'd played Brawl first? Is this a valid concern? Or does it hold up, ya think?

@Stuffgamer1: Happy to hear you bought Aquia! I'm not blaming you, Im blaming anyone who has owned a DSi for any amount of time, have an active wireless internet connection, and dont have an artstyle game yet. Seriously everyone even if you thought Aquia wasnt your cup of tea, BUY PiCOBiTS!!

@LittleIrves: Don't worry, the gameplay of Majora's Mask definitely holds up well, even by today's standards. As long as you are looking for something different from the Zelda "norm", I doubt you will be disappointed.

@LittleIrves: Your Smash example works much better than Zelda. Zelda holds up MUCH better in a backwards progression than Smash, to be sure. I don't think you'll be disappointed with Majora OR Ocarina. Just give them a try. At least they're only $10 each, right? A small risk any way about it, especially with such high-quality games (that same risk is ill advised with much WiiWare shovelware, but well worth it for VC Zelda). I think you might like Link to the Past, as well, a steal at only $8!

EDIT: @bboy2970: Yeah, I didn't mean you were literally blaming me. I should've used a there or something to clarify my meaning.

Goodie. Now that we got that boring game out of the way (one of the worst Zeldas right after Phantom Hourglass and Four Sword Adventures IMO), hopefully they will bring the other mediocre game people want (Super Smash Brothers), and then we can see some good N64 games being released.

@mjc: My, YOU'RE a downer. I agree that Majora isn't for everyone, though. I also agree that the original Smash doesn't hold up too well anymore (assuming that's your problem with it). Unfortunately, we don't really have any other N64 games known to be likely coming, so we'll have to work with what we've got to reasonably look forward to...

One thing that sucks tho - and it doesn't have anything to do with NOA - is my Canadian dollar isn't worth crap - about 82 cents to the US dollar. So if I want to buy $20 in points through my VISA, it charges me in US $ and I end up paying about $28.

Wow...Majora's Mask it is indeed. Since I already have the GC Zeldas disc though, I have a tough decision to make. Are there any differences between this and the version on the GC Zeldas disc that would make this the definitive version or anything?

@Knoxximus: From what I understand from talking with people who've played Majora on the European VC, it fixes the bugs that were present in the Gamecube version (frame rate issues, messed up sound output, maybe other stuff, too). So I'd say go with the VC version for the best experience.

The first Art Style game didn't appeal to me, I'm not a huge puzzle fan. Only like a few, like Tetris, Soduku, Dr. Mario, Tetravex. I do love puzzle platformers though. I'm going to download today's Art Style, it looks like an interesting twist on the Tetris types, and seems to make good use of the DS touch screen. Going to pick up the Chess game in the next few days. Hopefully NintendoLife gets up a review of that one quickly.

Wow, it turns out I have the GC Zelda disc with 4 Zelda games. I'm set. I pop the disc in my Wii and start the game. You do not have sufficient memory. Please manage your memory. Hmmm..I don't want to delete any data from either of my memory cards. So, buy a new GC memory card or buy VC version of MM?

Nice update, I'm happy for everyone expecting MM , but nothing for me one more week , I don't like MM that much and I have the original cartridge, I'd only DL R2 if I had money to spare, which I haven't, and I'll wait for a chess game with online; and finally a nice title for Dsiware, luckily still not such a big title to make me want to buy a $350 Dsi.

Awesome, can't wait to play Majora's Mask which I have never had the chance to do. I'm a huge fan of the series but never got this game for some reason. Something about a expansion pak I never got. As for the chess game I love chess but it sounds like this doesn't have online play, I might have to wait until one does. I already have a chess board so I see no need to buy this game. If it had online play I would of bought it for $10. Well Majora's Mask should hold me over till they work out all the bugs in Texas Hold'em and finally release it in North America. Rock 'n' Roll mofo's m/

Yay, Nintendo threw us a bone! Is everyone happy now? Majora's Mask is great and all but really no big surprises today. I would much rather have Earthbound instead but that will probably never happen anyway. Oh well, I do hope you are all enjoying Majora's Mask! Maybe I'll check out Silver Star Chess while I'm waiting for Swords and Soldiers to arrive.

Not only does it take up fewer blocks than OOT, but it also costs the same. Considering that the N64 needed a graphics enhancer to play MM, it should have more blocks and cost 1200 points. Also, considering its darkness, it should have an E10 rating at least.

I have to agree with Pegasus. So far I've played a couple of stages of PiCOBiTS and also a Dark Stage and I must say that I am definitely glad I bought this without hesitation. There's a helpful tutorial and I just love the presentation and sound of the game...being that I'm a retro nut. Although the Dark Stage 1 really beat my butt...I'll tackle it as soon as I get a few more stages down cold.

Bottom line, this is definitely one of the games you've been waiting for to arrive on the DSiWare service.

@worrybombBeat the first five stages before I bought the first dark stage, and it too kicked my ass. I wonder if I even want to know what the dark stages for stage 6 and beyond will be like, since normal is starting to get challenging there as well.

@miletech: Yep, here here to that! A lot of people in the gaming community really want Mario Party 1-3. Let's hope that's next before/after SSB64! And soon!@WolfRamHeart: Cool. I don't own a DSi either. I just seemed as though you were expecting PiCOBiTS. @pixelman: Lol. Well the whole "creepy" aspect has been used against certain games by the ESRB in the past, rating it E10+ instead of E, trying to find some excuse for it. @worrybomb: That's so gratifying to hear! I only wish I had a DSi otherwise I would've jumped at it right away too.

Good to hear some people took the plunge and are enjoying PiCOBiTS! Incase anyone didnt hear me before, ahem, BUY PiCOBiTS! ITS THE BEST OUT OF ALL 9 ARTSTYLE GAMES! And who doesnt love the classic nintendo theme? it reminds me a little of Tetris DS in that respect.

Yoshi's Island should come in 2009 but not before Super Mario Kart or SSB for that matter.It can come before ClayFighter just not before SSB or Super Mario Kart.

As for Majora's Mask It is great that it got released and is VC Game number 300.But like Super Mario Kart and SSB it was/is way way way overdue.

I hope this week is the start of the Crappy VC Games slowdown and the start of the bigger better VC Games like the ClayFighters or ZAMN or just any big game like Super Mario Kart or puzzle games like Tetris Attack just about anything will be better then what we had to skip out on the past few weeks or so.

@KnucklesSonic8 post #86: And what makes you so sure that'll hit? It hasn't been rated by any rating system or released on VC in any region. Nintendo probably doesn't want to give Mario Party 8 cheap competition (a weird thought, but I could see Nintendo thinking that for Mario Party, Mario Kart, and Smash Bros.). So anyway, I was referring to games with confirmed likelihood instead of seemingly probable speculation.

@Twilight V & StarFox: Majora is smaller than Ocarina because Nintendo improved their compression techniques for VC games a while back, but they never bothered to go back and recompress the earlier releases. There are some early NES VC releases that take more blocks than some more recent SNES VC releases because of this.

Somebody on the Nintendo Life staff needs to make a point of shouting out that the VC version of Majora runs better than the Gamecube version. That's the only way people are going to know, since they can't all be expected to read through this entire comment thread.

@Stuffgamer1: That reasoning with the whole "cheap competition" thing is faulty especially since SMK and SSB64 are on the way. It's like saying: "Oh, what makes you so sure Mario Kart 64 is gonna hit"?

And as for whether or not people want it, when Siliconera was given the opportunity to ask the community what games they wanted Hudson to bring to the VC, you should see how many people asked for Mario Party 1-3. It was crazy. They later relayed this information over to Hudson. They'd be just dumb not to bring it and furthermore there's no reason for them not to.

Confirmed likelihood, hm? Okay then. Didn't know you were getting into specifics now because you asked for games that are "likely coming" and AFAIC, Mario Party is "likely coming". I'd almost go so far as to say more than likely.

A very good week for N.A. in general. A highly anticipated Zelda game on VC, a brand-new ArtStyle for DSi (always a welcome addition), chess is a great intellectual game (I'll get it if they support wifi online), and people are always demanding new games from Square Enix.

So I guess VC, Wiiware, and DSi; it goes a little something like this:Crap, crap, crap, total crap, good, crap, AWesome!!!

Now this is kind of update i like to see every week and we got some cool games that came out especially Majoras Mask as well and another cool Artstyle game for DSiware as well.. lookin forward on that chess game too... i guess ill go and download all these games and try them out too.

Am I the only one who thinks that, while thinking this update is much better than normal, will not be downloading any of it? I just Swords and Soldiers, which I knew wasn't coming this Monday but wished it so anyway.

Still waiting for thoughts on Crystal Defenders R2 but in case anyone's wondering, IGN published a review awarding it a 5.8. Not like I care, honestly. Only looked at the review out of curiousity. Their reviews downright stink (a mess of rushed, poorly-written, inaccurate, unprofessional reviews!) for WiiWare and it's becoming even more apparent each and every week. They give this game yet another rushed review - big surprise...

I just want to know if R2 is worth it and how it compares to its predecessor.

@KnucklesSonic8 post #126: While Smash should be releasing sooner or later due to being available in Japan, all we've got to go on for Super Mario Kart is a rating. Wasn't that one rated and un-rated before? Oh, well, that's a little off-point anyway.

It is my understanding that Mario Party 8 and Mario Kart Wii are still selling very well, but the sales for Super Smash Bros. Brawl dropped off already. That would support my theory. Either way, it was only a theory and could well be 100% wrong. It did make a certain amount of sense, though.

I had meant to make it clear from the start that I was talking about games with SOME level of confirmation, even if it was only an iffy rating. I guess that didn't work so well.

@KnucklesSonic8- I've played R1 and R2 and if your into tower defense games or their gameplay and Final Fantasy you'll most likely enjoy it. I believe its worth the download and you do get what you pay, just in case you were wondering. The Nintendo Life Review definatly nails the first game on the head and the second improves on some of the lows of the first game so thats nice. I would definatly put it up there with the top 10 for sure in my opinion.

@KS8 - I have yet to purchase R2 until I finish R1, but I agree with you on IGN and their reviews. From what I read of it, it's more of the same garbage that they spewed for the R1 review.

Honestly, if you're interested in this game at all and don't have the other systems to possibly consider getting the game on, then I say go for it...I've had a ton of fun with R1 and I'm sure R2 will be even more worth the points. Sorry IGN, not all of us have/want an iPhone, 360, or PS3 (or their versions of Crystal Defenders with their frame rate issues, lack of full screen, and lack of speeding up the waves).

@Syrek: Thanks for replying to me. What else can you tell me about it? How does it improve over the first? Should I completely skip R1 and go straight to R2? I've been told it's essentially just a "tutorial".

And yes, I'm into tower defense games.

@strato: The less I talk about IGN the better. I'll easily get into a big discussion/rant about how I really feel about them with regards to the Nintendo-related reviews. What's worse is they simply don't spend enough time with WiiWare games (and some Wii games in general) to make an accurate review and as a result, their reviews are just inaccurate and poorly-written.

But yeah, I'd only be able to get this on WiiWare. I mean, if I were to get an iPhone, then I suppose I could try it on there?

@KS8: In that case, I would definitely suggest R1 and R2. Even though R1 is essentially a tutorial, the last 5 or so levels are VERY hard to perfect, at least for me. I've probably spent 12-13 or more hours with the game, and enjoyed every minute of it. If you're still that unsure about it, go with just R2. Like mentioned in the board thread, if the end of R1 is any indication of the difficulty of R2, it's definitely going to take some time to perfect.

IGN isn't the ONLY gaming media source that routinely has THOSE sorts of problems. Just look at Game Informer and its consistently unfair reviews of games on Nintendo systems (the new issue gives Klonoa a 7...2 full points behind both Nintendo Life and Nintendo Power!).

It's a common problem with just about ANY reviewer who reviews for PS3, 360, and Wii. They always look down on Wii as "kiddy" or whatnot, even when they claim they don't.

I don't find anything else IGN has to say worth listening to either, though. That site just plain sucks.

EDIT: @Tony: Yeah, I saw that. I second the recommendation. I also must mention that it's ironic that I couldn't find Majora's Mask on the Nintendo Channel outside of that video. SMRPG got onto the channel because it was a milestone game, but this DIDN'T? Stoo-pid!

I'm glad we see eye-to-eye on the rushed, poor excuses IGN tries to pass of as "reviews" for WiiWare games. Heh heh.

I just want to be sure that the game is worth the asking price because I have heard quite a few complaints. I also want to make sure that R2 retains the amount of challenge as its predecessor if not improves on the formula. In fact, I really would like to hear how R2 differs from R1 and how the gameplay has become more enjoyable as a result.

On the note of IGN, they did a review for Silver Star Chess also, giving it a 5.5. From what I gather, the game is very barebones. What you see is what you get and that was kinda obvious to me by the menu screens: 1P, 2P, Resume. That's it.

@Stuffgamer1: Oh trust me. I know very well that they're not the only ones. It's just... they seem to think they're revered by many and honestly, I can't help but feel that although other reviewers can be biased/unfair/give inaccurate reviews, IGN is one of the worst. This is coming from someone who used to actually like IGN's reviews.. When I didn't know better. lol. I will admit, though, that on the odd occasion, they do give reviews that are actually surprisingly decent. The fact that they gave Jungle Speed such a great recommendation, for example, really surprised me knowing how closed-minded they can be.

Wow, for the first week in quite a while, there finally seems to be an update that satisfies everyone on some level. Although I was doubtful that MM was going to come out, I'm glad that it did, and I can't wait to play it. Also, with Crystal Defenders R1 in the Top 10, I wonder how the two will coexist in the top 20. Does anyone think that R2 will be in the top 20 with R1, or am I the only one that thinks that the two won't be in the top 20 together?

@Tony- Yeah, it reminded me of games that I should have bought by now.

It's not my most wanted game and it's a shame it's a one-game week, but it's still a good week. Had it been something like Super Pitfall, I would have been furious and done a rant on how badly NOA is handling the Virtual Console. A solid week and I hope they build on the foundation that this week set. Also, my prediction of this game coming this week was correct.

WiiWare, meh. While I'm glad that it's a two-week for WiiWare, it's offering ins't that good. Crystal Defender R2 is of course, inferior to the XBLA and PSN version (That has yet to come) and gives no reason to download this version if you already have a Playstation 3 or Xbox 360, which I don't. However, considering how much I loved Super Mario RPG and that I only have a Wii, if the reviews are solid, I might download it if the reviews are decent. I was planning to download Sliver Chess, but after hearing someone in this forum saying about the lack of online, it seals any possibility of me downloading it. Where is the good stuff? The only WiiWare game I'm intrested in is Alien Crush Return, and then, where is the DLC? Hudson, you know that if you don't bring your promise of DLC, I'm not downloading it.

DSiWare on the other hand sounds like a great or at least good week. It maybe a one-game week, but who cares? I realize that because the DSi is a much less powerful system then the Wii, I need to lower my expectation. Art Style game with Nintendo themes? I'm in. Just give me some DSi points and I'm downloading this sucker (If the reviews are good)!

Overall, Virtual Console was good, WiiWare was medicoric, and DSiWare looks to be a great week, just like last week.

@ MegaMX4 post #41: Your right. Why does it take Nintendo of America so long just to release a N64 game? But at least that's not all we're seeing for the Virtual Console.

@ Stuffgamer1 post #123: Last time I checked, even thought the inital amount of space required to download a game remains the same, they don't always take up the exact amount of space as intially required. Kirby's Adventure for the NES required me to have 99 blocks in order to download, but only used around 25 blocks, proving your theory wrong. They are compressing there earlier Virtual Console games, just that the inital amount of space required. And that game released in Februrary, 2007!

@gishagos: Nice try. I like how you went back to the whole "1 game a week" notion. Nice.

@SmashBros.Fan: I don't want MM either but NoA issues a great VC update and here you are complaining that we "only" got one game. Also, what are your reasons (other than the pricing decision) behind you claiming that the Wii version is completely "inferior"?

@SonicMaster: Great to hear yet another person is really enjoying PiCOBiTS. NOW I'm jealous that I don't have a DSi yet.

@bb2970: I've purchased Art Style: Aquias for the DSi; it's good for a few minutes of play while cooling down from playing Mario Kart DS on the bus. Art Style: Cubello is my new addiction (just now downloaded it) - so now you have a fellow Art Style fan.

Regarding this week's offerings: SON OF A...I'm trying to save up for a Mac! And Nintendo chose to release Majora's Mask NOW??? And I didn't purchase Ocarina of Time because I played it to death back in 1998 but being a hardcore gamer I HAVE to purchase both!

Crystal Defenders R1 was a really enjoyable "come home from work and play before bed" game; 800 points is steep but I like the game mechanics and I'm a big fan of the FFTA series (136+ hours in Grimoire of the Rift alone) and the maps and game mechanics are more varied so I'll download this after eating dinner and washing the dishes.

One more thing: now I KNOW that I'm not the only man waiting for the ONE N64 game that blew nearly every other game in the library (no, it's not SSB, put your hands down) - the story was awesome, it was the only thing close to a third-party RPG that was created as an N64 exclusive, it was hard as heck but was one of the most enjoyable games of my my life. The game's name:

Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber.

Once this game comes out I may never need another Virtual Console game ever again. I'll of course purchase WiiWare games, but I won't have a need for the VC anymore.

"I don't find anything else IGN has to say worth listening to either, though. That site just plain sucks. "

I'll take this opportunity to wholeheartedly concur with you. Speaking of the 300 marker the VC has reached, that's probably about how many times I've ranted about IGN's worthlessness over the past couple of years. I suppose I should have planned something for the big milestone.

PictoBits is pretty fun, and a welcome DSi title. I'm now officially out of the free 1000 DSi points (Dr. Mario/PictoBits). I'm going to download the Chess in the next day. Since I work nights it's a little something to do. IGN says it's barebones, and lack of online is one of their gripes. I don't really mind. For 500 points it doesn't look bad.

I knew that buying two separate 2000 Point Cards would come to benefit me later! As soon as I'm done with all this school junk, I'm going to get MM. I haven't played it before, and it sounds very interesting.

At the least, I got PiCTOBiTS, too. I wasn't too impressed with AQUIA (didn't really click with me), but this one's great. I'm still waiting on CODE, but PiCTO is more than enough for the wait. Hell, I'd say it's my favorite game on DSiWare right now.

As for WiiWare: I'm considering R2, partially because I have money to spare and partially because I don't want to waste my Microsoft Points on the 360 version when I have a bunch of other stuff to buy on there. The challenge sounds nice, so maybe I'll bite.

R2 is the same bleeping game as R1. Effectively the same maps, same classes, same progression, same damn game. The sprites have been swapped out for the characters and the maps have forks in the road so that the creeps come from both directions. The latter part serves to make the game more challenging.

There are a few new features in the form of items like power crystals to boost the effectiveness of nearby characters. However, these are passive and don't add much to gameplay.

@thewiirocks: Should I get R1 or R2? I really need some thoughts. I appreciate your mini-review/impressions but do you think you could help me? I'm a big fan of RTS games myself and I would like to try it as I've never tried it before. I just dunno if it's worth getting R2 instead and just skipping R1. What do you think? Anyone?

I noticed some of the feature differences in R2. Any others I should know about. Do these features make the game significantly more challenging than R1?

R1: Fairly easy, with a few very challenging spots. Good for beginners OR someone looking for a casual, relaxed experience.

R2: Difficulty ramps up quickly, but it's kind of cheap. The difficulty primarily comes from the two-front levels you're forced to fight, thus straining your resources. Good if you're a hardcore Tower Defender, but possibly frustrating if you're looking for a more relaxing experience.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one. As I said above, they're basically the same game. Even the overworld is exactly the same. I have not yet beat R2, so I can't comment on all of the extra features. So far I've used the energizer crystal. As I said, it doesn't add much to the game, IMHO.

@thewiirocks: It does help to have a breakdown, yes. I just can't decide between the two. I'm not looking for a "relaxed" experience. I want to have a challenging experience. I would appreciate more thoughts because I'm having a hard time deciding on which one I should try.

If you want a challenging experience, go for R2. You won't miss much from R1.

I've gotten much farther on R2. I now have crystals that extend range and increase fire rate. The latter feels much more effective and satisfying. I've gotten a few units that are different from R1, but as of yet they have not proven themselves very effective. Enemies come hard and fast with ridiculous amounts of health. Knowing how to use the thief greatly tempers this as you can purchase more than enough fighters to fend off any attack.

The greatest strategy in R2 is knowing the proper choke point. If you choke the enemies on their way through a single-path pass, you can nail them all at once with as much firepower as you can bring to bear. It actually gets a bit crazy as you have to lay off the firepower if you want your thieves to do their jobs.

Again, both are just fine. But if you're looking for challenge, just skip to R2.

Plus I'd never expect the comment section on here to reach well beyond 170 comments!! You people TRULY have NO LIVES & post on this stupid site like crazy!! Yet why am I doing the same thing... I'm just telling it like it is; stating the obvious which you must hate me for!!

All I've got to say is that I just knew Nintendo wouldn't dissapoint today... & I knew it all along that Zelda Majora's Mask would be our #300 game!! So when I say I hate to say I told you so... I really mean I TOLD YOU SO!! LOL!!

Besides, holding onto my prediction all along... I used my well earned points card I got last week, (when I reserved Punch-Out); & I did the smart thing by not waisting them & waiting until today to instantly download Majora's Mask! Now I'll be playing it along with Zelda TP for my 10th time; & also with OoT & ALTTP... all of my favorite Zelda's I can't get enough when I replay them all of the time!!

@Smash Bros. Fan: Yeah, I took another look at my games after posting yesterday and came to the conclusion that they probably DID get around to re-compressing the older releases after all. New possible reason why Majora is smaller than Ocarina: Fewer areas makes smaller game. The worlds may be roughly the same size, but Ocarina has more dungeons, and it has the world TWICE due to the young Link/adult Link deal.

@NintendoPurist: I can answer that question! I met mjc on a different site and told him about this one. Anyway, his avatar is a picture of the LittleBigPlanet Ape Escape costume. He seems to love that thing for some reason.

FINNALY that we get major's mask, this should have been one of the first games on VC in my oppinon. I wish nintendo wouldn't go so slagish on the wii shop channel. They should relesing these games as fast as they can.

I have played every Zelda game released on a Nintendo console (including handhelds; just differentiating from those Phillips things). I've beaten them all except Twilight Princess, and I only haven't beaten that yet because this is my first play-through (yeah, I procrastinated) and I only just got the Master Sword. Making progress, though!